Federal Republic of Nigeria · entrepreneur
Business Permit (foreign-owned company)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 6 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
The Ministry of Interior authorisation a wholly or partly foreign-owned company needs to operate legally in Nigeria, and the precondition for obtaining an expatriate quota and CERPAC permits.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Ministry of Interior Citizenship and Business Department page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official Ministry of Interior page.
- Typical duration
- A company-level authorisation that remains valid for the operating entity; confirm current validity and renewal terms on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Business Permit (foreign-owned company) for Federal Republic of Nigeria is an unsponsored Nigeria immigration route. Sources: official Federal Republic of Nigeria government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/nigeria/business-permit#answer
What is the Business Permit (foreign-owned company) in Federal Republic of Nigeria?
Business Permit (foreign-owned company) is an unsponsored Nigeria route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official Ministry of Interior page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Ministry of Interior Citizenship and Business Department page; typical duration is A company-level authorisation that remains valid for the operating entity; confirm current validity and renewal terms on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The Business Permit is issued by the Federal Ministry of Interior, through its Citizenship and Business Department, to a foreign-owned corporate body registered in Nigeria. No company with foreign ownership can lawfully operate or employ expatriates without it. It is a company-level authorisation rather than an individual immigration status, but it sits at the base of the expatriate-employment chain: business permit, then expatriate quota, then STR visa and CERPAC for the individual workers. Processing moved onto the Ministry of Interior Expatriate Administration System (EAS).
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓A company registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission that has foreign ownership or participation.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
- ✓Evidence of the minimum capital and corporate documentation the Ministry of Interior requires.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
- ✓Application made to the Federal Ministry of Interior through its Citizenship and Business Department.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
- ✓Compliance with the digital filing process where the Ministry of Interior requires it.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
Common blockers
- !Company not yet incorporated in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
- !No foreign ownership documented, so the permit is not required or not applicable as filed.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
- !Incomplete corporate or capital documentation at submission.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Certificate of incorporation and other Corporate Affairs Commission documents.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
- ·Memorandum and articles of association.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
- ·Evidence of capital and the company shareholding structure.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
- ·Completed business permit application through the official channel.Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the company is incorporated in Nigeria with foreign ownership and that a business permit is required before it can employ expatriates.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble incorporation documents, capital evidence and the shareholding structure required by the Ministry of Interior.
Submit through the official channel
File the business permit application with the Citizenship and Business Department, using the digital system where required.
After approval
Use the business permit as the basis to apply for an expatriate quota and then individual STR visas and CERPACs for staff.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Business Permit (foreign-owned company) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Business Permit (foreign-owned company).
Ministry of Interior (Nigeria) · verified
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Related routes
Expatriate Quota (company-level authorisation)
A Ministry of Interior authorisation that grants a Nigerian company a fixed number of slots to employ expatriates in named positions, underpinning each worker's STR visa and CERPAC.
CERPAC (Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card)
The core residence-and-work permit for expatriates living in Nigeria for a year or more, issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service and renewable while the underlying employment and expatriate quota remain valid.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Business Permit an immigration status for me personally?+
No. The Business Permit authorises the company to operate and to employ expatriates; individual residence and work authorisation comes through the expatriate quota, STR visa and CERPAC. Confirm the current company requirements on the official Ministry of Interior Citizenship and Business Department page.
Do I need a Business Permit before hiring foreign staff?+
A foreign-owned company generally needs the Business Permit before it can obtain an expatriate quota and employ foreign nationals. Confirm the exact sequence and documentation on the official Ministry of Interior page.
Does my company have to be incorporated in Nigeria before I can apply for a Business Permit?+
Yes. The Business Permit is issued to a company registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission that has foreign ownership, and a company not yet incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission is a common reason applications fail. Confirm the documentation on the official Ministry of Interior page.
What is the order of approvals to set up a foreign-owned company and hire expatriates in Nigeria?+
A foreign-owned company generally needs a Business Permit before it can obtain an expatriate quota and employ foreign nationals: the sequence is business permit, then expatriate quota, then the STR visa and CERPAC for individual workers. Confirm the documentation on the official Ministry of Interior Citizenship and Business Department page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in NigeriaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Ministry of Interior (Nigeria)
Last checked: 1 June 2026